FLASHBACK: Ann Elise's Kindergarten Graduation

The end of Ann Elise's Kindergarten year was celebrated with a graduation ceremony - cap and gown and all. The ceremony included Pomp & Circumstance, the students singing a number of songs they'd prepared for the night, and most children speaking a part. Ann Elise's part was "Please sing this wonderful song with us on the second time through." We were very happy she said her part well!

A big smile before we left the house:


The Kindergarten Class of 2010-2011:


Receiving her diploma from Mr. Griffith, the Principal:


Showing her excitement over her diploma:


And a final picture with her Kindergarten teacher - who retired at the end of the year.


Ann Elise loved this school year. She made some good friends and learned some valuable academic skills. We feel she is well prepared to tackle first grade :) We couldn't be more proud to stand next to this sweet graduate!


We were more prepared with this graduation ceremony - it can definitely signify an end in many ways. Looking back at Wes' Kindergarten graduation serves as a reminder - now the little boy look, the "fun" of learning the basics, the innocence of just being 6 does comes to an end :(

We now know first grade brings desks, homework, projects, and life lessons...growing up is hard to do (especially for the parents)!

FLASHBACK: Feathered!

You may have seen the recent hype in the news regarding fly fisherman and their frustration over one of the newest fashion trends - their bait is being found in girls' hair!

I am not exactly sure how this trend got started - maybe Steven Tyler donning them on American Idol? But nonetheless, girls everywhere are picking out feathers of all colors and clipping them in their hair.

Ann Elise first brought this fashion trend to my attention when a few friends at school started wearing them. I started paying attention and one day found myself at the school early for pick-up. The third graders were at recess and a group of girls were sitting nearby and I noticed just about all of them had feathers! I knew a few of them and decided to find our what I could. They told me everything! HA! I found out where to get them, how they get put in, all the styles, etc.

Ann Elise continued to bring up the idea of getting feathered and after talking it over we decided it would make a good "recital gift". So, the feathers were purchased, wrapped, and attached to some balloons. She was very excited when she opened them and couldn't stop asking when could she get "feathered"!

I took her to the boutique the next day and a sweet college girl put them in. Ann Elise was very proud and has enjoyed everyday with her little extra bling :)

FLASHBACK: Ballet Recital 2011

Ann Elise had another great year of ballet and tap. Her teacher is very sweet and really loves the girls. They worked hard all year practicing positions and getting better. We love the simplicity and modesty of this studio. Her teacher picks out the class costume and makes it work for both the ballet and tap number. She just changes out a few pieces to change it up. This makes intermission much less stressful and more enjoyable :)

For the first act Ann Elise's class performed the cutest tap dance to Joshua Fought The Battle of Jericho. Lots of fun!

During the second act her class performed a sweet ballet routine to Heavenly Sunlight. So, so precious!

Getting a hug from Mrs. Lynn, her teacher, for a job well done!

Posing with her biggest fans - big brother Wes and little brother Bankston Hays :)

Her grandparents were equally excited to watch such a great performance!

Ann Elise really did a great job. She knew every step to both routines and performed them just when she was supposed to - all with a big smile spread across her beautiful face.

Butterflies Update

Earlier I posted about the Easter Bunny bringing Ann Elise a Butterfly Kit. In order to get a better understanding of what was about to happen - and because we knew there would be no way we would be able to witness every moment of our butterflies' metamorphosis - we watched this YouTube video. How incredibly cool to watch nature perform!

For the first week we got to watch the caterpillars grow, climb to the top of their jar, get in their "J" formation, and form their chrysalises. The kids would come home from school excited to see if there were any changes. To find one making it's "J" was like watching a baby takes it's first steps :)

The kit was very easy to manage. Once the caterpillars formed their chrysalises, we removed the pad (shown above) from the jar's lid and hung it to the side of the butterfly tent. We would mist the chrysalises once a day and about a week later painted lady butterflies began to emerge.

The kit came with a sugar water feeder and we added some branches and flowers for them to enjoy. We held onto the butterflies for about two weeks. They seemed very content in their tent and the kids absolutely loved watching them flit around!

I asked Kris to take them to work and have one of his students (with a fancy camera) take some good pictures. I simply wanted some good shots of the butterflies doing their thing in their tent! But the guys had a better idea - they closed off the main office and let a butterfly free.

You would not believe how tame it was! This butterfly landed on the student's glasses AND hung out on Kris' finger :)

Kris was able to round them up and bring them back home safe in their tent. After the kids saw the pictures of the butterfly and it's freedom, we held onto them a few more days and occasionally let them fly around the house.

As you can imagine, our critter lover was beside herself admiring God's intricate creation!

Wordless Wednesday

Ann Elise (19 mo) and Wes (almost 4) - September 2006

Monkey Bar Queen

Ann Elise has fallen in love with the monkey bars! She had mastered swinging from bar to bar some months ago and then taught herself to turn around once at the end and come back.

Since being in Kindergarten she started seeing girls at school use the bars to hang upside down and wanted to join in the fun!


Once she mastered that skill, she could be found most afternoons in the backyard...being a monkey!

Wordless Wednesday

Ann Elise, 15 months - May 2006

Liese's Little Love

We have always called Ann Elise "Liese (Lee-see)" and our Liese has many little loves. One of her loves is critters. She has always enjoyed roly polies, worms, frogs, etc. And with our recent warm weather she has been in heaven! We have seen so many caterpillars :)

When we were pulling into the garage the other day this one was waiting for us!


She jumped out of the van, scooped it up, and quickly became it's best friend (or nightmare)!


She loved on that caterpillar all afternoon. She carried it everywhere, built it a home, and fed it.


She even convinced her little brother it's feet tickled!


Liese has such a sweet tender heart. It is definitely one of my favorite things about her personality :)

Wordless Wednesday

Ann Elise (21 months) and Myself, October 2006

Upward Basketball

Our Upward Basketball season came to an end just a few Saturdays ago. Both Wes and Ann Elise participated this year, having a blast! Kris was busy, busy seeing as he coached both their teams.

Wes played for the Rhinos. He really played hard and had a good season. Kris and Coach Mark came up with a Rebound Reward that really motivated the boys to hustle. What young boy wouldn't push and shove for every rebound knowing they'd be rewarded with an extra snack?!? HA!


Ann Elise played for the Greyhounds. This was her first experience with basketball. She did really good learning the skills and we were so proud of her for participating! But, it may take another season or two for her to feel comfortable about taking the ball from someone :)

Another successful season of sports behind us and headed into Spring baseball!

Ann Elise's 6th Birthday Party

In the Fall when we were planning the boys' birthday parties Ann Elise announced she had two requests for her own birthday. One, she wanted a "puppy paint" party. Excuse me, what?!? What is a "puppy paint" party? And two, she wanted the party to be at our house. After more Google searches than I care to admit, I came up with a plan that I thought fit her imagination.

As most of our parties go around here, the invitation set the tone.

And my sister's awesome mother-in-law made us a cake to match the theme.

February birthdays have to deal with very upredictable weather and this year proved no different. After a week of beautiful sunshine and temps in the mid 60s, we made a last minute decision to bring the party inside after realizing the highs were indeed in the low 40s. We moved our dining room furniture into the garage and set up tables to decorate for the party.


Each child had their own setting that included a plush puppy, paint brush, cup of water, paint, and art smock.


After the kids got seated we wrote their names on the plate so we would know who the puppy belonged to and so they'd have a place to dry.


The kids were free to paint till their puppies were just the way they wanted them...Ann Elise chose to paint her's hot pink with black polka dots :)


I was really happy to see all the details and planning come together so smoothly. And, the kids seemed to really enjoy the project!


Especially the birthday girl!


After a lunch of pizza, cupcakes, and ice cream and a fun time of opening gifts, each kid got to take home a watercolor set and their very own painted puppy!